In order to ensure that children continue to be protected from the dangers of novelty cigarette lighters, or cigarette lighters which are not child-resistant, the EU has extended the ban, which prevents them appearing on the market, up until 11 May 2015. Further prolongation of the bans is possible in the future if necessary. In the meantime, work is continuing to develop a suitable European standard for determining the child resistance of lighters which is based on technical parameters rather than the use of child panels.